Welcome to the latest edition of the Action Bulletin, your source for up-to-date information and reminders to successfully implement and sustain your PLTW program.
Some new items for your attention this week include:
- Information on the 2011-12 PLTW Assessment System. While more details will be coming in the next few weeks, this information will help you prepare for assessments in the 2011-12 school year.
- PLTW Leadership Team Announcement. We are excited to have these talented individuals on board and focused on PLTW's improvement and growth.
- New School Press Release Template. This tool is ideal for new schools in promoting their programs to local media outlets.
We also want to highlight -- among other program reminders -- that the 2011-12 school year curriculum is available to download from the Virtual Academy. Please review this section carefully so that you are well-prepared for the start of classes.
Catch up with your past issues for more information and reminders about the program.
An Action Bulletin archive is available in the Virtual Academy under the Welcome section as well as in the Program Support section of the PLTW Web site.
We would love to hear your feedback on the Action Bulletin. What are the topics you would like us to cover? Send your comments to Trevor Sparks. |
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2011-12 PLTW Assessment System
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The 2011-12 PLTW Assessment System will be fully described in a communication that will be sent to the entire PLTW network during the first week of September.
Important highlights will include: - Continuation of the same NWEA-based online testing platform that was utilized during the 2010-2011 school year.
- Discontinuation of the MAP-based Growth Assessments.
- Development of new End of Course Assessments for three courses.
- New student rostering procedures.
Please also note: - Assessment System access credentials for teachers will be resent during the first two weeks of September.
- Teachers gain access to the online system once they receive their credentials.
If you have any questions about the 2011-12 Assessment System, please contact the PLTW Assessment Team. |
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New School Press Release Template
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For schools implementing a PLTW program for the first time this fall, a New School Press Release Template is available for download.
By completing this template with school information, new schools have a ready-made tool to promote their programs to local media outlets.
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PLTW Leadership Team Announcement
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PLTW CEO Vince Bertram is excited to announce that the following individuals have joined our organization:
Dr. Andrea Croslyn
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Anne Jones
Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer
Dr. Rex Bolinger
Senior Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer
John Visconti
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
David Dimmett
Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer
Their early efforts have focused on learning and understanding our work so that we can build on the many strengths of our organization. Each of these talented individuals brings a unique set of skills that will be focused on PLTW's improvement and growth.
We also thank Richard Grimsley and Shannon Kete for advancing the work of our organization. They helped develop the foundation upon which PLTW will continue to build.
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2011-12 School Year Curriculum Now Available
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As highlighted in the last issue of the Action Bulletin for Schools, the 2011-12 PLTW curriculum is now available through the Virtual Academy.
To ensure program quality, including exam alignment, PLTW teachers are required to use the 2011-12 curriculum for course instruction throughout the academic year.
View full details from the last issue of the Action Bulletin for Schools.
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Reminders: Software, Info Updates, Resources
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Place Your Orders for ROBOTC Software Licenses
Schools offering Principles of Engineering (POE), Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), Aerospace Engineering (AE) and/or Gateway To Technology's (GTT) Automation and Robotics (AR) unit with the VEX Robotics platform should place their orders for ROBOTC software licenses as soon as possible.
ROBOTC software licenses should be ordered by using the form in the Purchasing Manual and not placed on any purchase orders.
- To support schools through the transition to the VEX Robotics platform, PLTW will subsidize the entire $200 annual license for all schools who order and activate licenses for the 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years.
- Complete the order form on the ROBOTC tab of either the ENGR Vendor Workbook or GTT Vendor Workbook, found in the PLTW Purchasing Manual.
- Follow the software download and installation instructions in the email sent to the designated contact(s).
The process may take up to three weeks to complete so please plan accordingly to have the software available for your fall classes. Information Updates
As you prepare for the 2011-12 school year, this is a good time to check your information in the PLTW Extranet and make any necessary updates.
Delegates - Update your email address and phone number (if necessary).
- Make sure the addresses and phone numbers of your participating schools are current.
- Update principal and counselor information (if necessary).
- Verify that only active teachers and schools are listed (unless the school is otherwise noted as deactivated).
Teachers- Update your email address and phone number (if necessary).
- Indicate the courses you will be instructing during the 2011-12 academic year.
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact School Relations.
PLTW VEX Parts Lists
Parts lists for the PLTW VEX kits (AE, DE, POE and GTT) as well as the VEX Classroom Lab Kit upgrades (for GTT and POE) are now available on the Purchasing Manual Web page and Virtual Academy.
VEX/ROBOTC Instructional Video Series
To provide instructional support and professional development opportunities to teachers who are transitioning to the VEX Robotics platform, the VEX/ROBOTC Instructional Video Series is available in the Robotics Platform Resources section on the Virtual Academy. |
